OAKLAND — The Warriors are using their final 25 regular-season games to prepare for the playoffs. It was only fitting the Warriors played a team they might meet then.
In the Warriors’ 125-123 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday at Oracle Arena, both teams offered compelling drama that would make for compelling theatre in a post-season matchup.
Stephen Curry had 34 points while shooting 12-of-23 from the field and 10-of-16 from 3 along with seven assists, six rebounds and a dunk. Kevin Durant added 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting. The rest of the Warriors’ starters also cracked double figures in Klay Thompson (18 points), DeMarcus Cousins (17) and Draymond Green (12 points eight assists).
The Warriors (42-16) have won all four of their regular-season games against the Kings (30-28). But they all have been decided by five points or less.
In the latest matchup, the outcome did not become official until Kings guard Buddy Hield airballed a turnaround jumper that Thompson contested closely. The Kings featured Marvin Bagley III (28 points), Hield (19), De’Aaron Fox (18), Bogdan Bogdanovic (14), Harrison Barnes (13), Corey Brewer (11) and Willie Cauley-Stein (10) in double figures.
The Warriors have won 17 of their last 20 games